He said: “The biggest reward I could have was knowing all the children survived.”

Mr Volanthen, from Long Ashton, grew up in Brighton, and his love of caving began as a scout. He is a Cub Pack Leader for the Long Ashton branch, near his current home of Bristol. He was also recently awarded the Bronze Cross, the Scouting Association’s highest honour, for his role in the Thai cave rescue.

Outside of his work he runs marathons and ultramarathons, once joking that he only does it “so he can eat more biscuits”.